ISE, Japan (AP) — The latest news on the Group of Seven summit in Japan, where the leaders of the seven advanced economies are meeting for two days (all times local):

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6:30 p.m.

President Barack Obama says G-7 leaders are focused on the need to accelerate economic growth.

Obama is speaking to reporters after the first day of meetings. He says that the leaders of the G-7 nations are intent on using all of the tools at their disposal to put people back to work and to lift wages.

Obama says there are signs the economy is improving in Europe as it has gotten past the Greek debt crisis.

He says the leaders are also focused on advancing free trade agreements and "pushing back against protectionism."

Obama says the leaders also touch on key security issues, particularly in the South China Sea and Ukraine. In Ukraine, there has been progress with negotiations, but there has still been too much violence.

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5 p.m.

The many splendored menu for the G-7 leaders' working lunch showcases local specialties in keeping with Japan's effort to pique appetites for its traditional products.

It includes five appetizers and at least 15 vegetables, including burdock root and pickled ginger.

The area where the leaders are meeting is known for its luscious, fat-marbled Matsuzaka beef, which was seared and served atop rice as sushi, along with "nigiri" made of squid, flounder, tuna and egg.

A local sake was complimented by a Chardonnay from central Japan's Nagano prefecture.

The no-holds-barred effort to promote Japanese cuisine and other products is in full gear at the summit media center, where alongside elegantly presented sushi, noodles and fish, an exhibition features robots and other high technology, including some of the latest mobility devices and electric vehicles.

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3 p.m.

China isn't a G-7 nation, but its official media is concerned about the agenda of the summit.

Maritime security and freedom of navigation and overflight are likely to be discussed among leaders of seven advanced industrial nations. China has disputes with host nation Japan over territory in the East China Sea, and several governments oppose China's claims in the South China Sea.

Xinhua News Agency said G7 members would be adding irrelevant issues to the summit if they discussed the South China Sea.

"The G7, in order not to become obsolete and even negatively affect global peace and stability, should mind its own business rather than pointing fingers at others and fueling conflicts," the report said.

Xinhua added that any "meddling" into such matters would be futile.

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2 p.m.

The leaders of the G-7 nations sat down at a big, round table for talks that will kick off with a focus on what to do about the sagging world economy.

Japanese officials said Abe planned to stress the importance of G-7 leadership, urging his counterparts to "convey a powerful message" on the need to do more to more to spur growth. The Japan side intends to call it the "Ise-Shima principle," for the Ise-Shima region where they are meeting.

"There is a concern that the sluggish economy might last some time. Abe hopes to share a common notion about the potential risks," said Hiroshige Seko, deputy chief cabinet secretary.

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11 a.m.

The leaders of the G-7 nations are arriving at Ise Jingu, (ee-say jeen-goo) a shrine that is the most hallowed site for Japan's indigenous Shinto religion.

They pulled up individually in black cars, and shook hands with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who greeted each one near a tall traditional shrine gate.

Each leader than walked across a famous arched wooden bridge and greeted what appeared to be shrine officials on the other side, before continuing into the sanctuary.

The visit to the shrine is taking place ahead of the G-7 meetings that being later Thursday.

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10 a.m.

The leaders of Italy, Germany and France have arrived in Japan for the annual summit meeting of seven major industrial nations.

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande landed separately Thursday morning at an airport near the city of Nagoya in central Japan.

They are joining the leaders of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and host Japan at the two-day meeting at an island resort hotel in Shima, Japan.